Our Directors

We are founded by GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTS

The founders of Autism Partnership are current-world-renowned authorities in the treatment for autism. Their quality standards and high expectations are aspirations of all fellow practitioners. Having contributed significantly to seminal works including books, research publications and scientific conferences since the 1970s, they still provide consultations to school districts and families worldwide.

Dr. Ronald LeafPh.D.
Co-founder and Director

Dr. John McEachinPh.D.
Co-founder and Director

Dr. Mitchell TaubmanPh.D.
Director

Toby MountjoyMSc, BCBA
Associate Director

Dr. Ronald LeafPh.D.
Co-founder and Director

Dr. Ronald Leaf is a licensed psychologist who has over forty years of experience in the field of autism. Dr. Leaf began his career working with Professor Ivar Lovaas, while receiving his undergraduate degree at UCLA.
Subsequently, he received his doctorate under the direction of Prof. Lovaas. During his years at UCLA, he served as Clinic Supervisor, Research Psychologist, Lecturer and Interim Director of the Young Autism Project. He was extensively involved in several research investigations, contributed to “The Me Book”, and is a co-author of “The Me Book” Videotapes, a series of instructional tapes for teaching autistic children. Dr. Leaf has consulted to families, schools, day programs and residential facilities on a national and international basis. Dr. Leaf is also the Executive Director of Behavior Therapy and Learning Centre, a mental health agency that consults with parents, care-providers and school personnel. Dr. leaf is co-author of “A Work In Progress”, “Time for School”, “It Has to Be Said”, “Crafting Connections” and “A Work In Progress Companion Series”.

Dr. John McEachin Ph.D.
Co-founder and Director

John McEachin is a licensed psychologist who has been providing behavioral intervention to children with autism as well as adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities for more than forty years. He received his graduate training under Professor Ivar Lovaas at UCLA on the Young Autism Project. During his 11 years at UCLA, Dr. McEachin served in various roles including Clinic Supervisor, Research and Teaching Assistant, and Acting Director. His research has included the long-term follow-up study of young autistic children who received intensive behavioral treatment, which was published in 1993.
In 1994 he joined with Ron Leaf in forming Autism Partnership, which they co-direct. In 1999 they published A Work in Progress, a widely used behavioral treatment manual and curriculum for children with autism. Dr. McEachin has lectured throughout the world and co-authored numerous books and research articles. He consults regularly to families, agencies, and school districts, assisting in the development of treatment programs and providing training to parents, group home staff, and classroom personnel.

Dr. Mitchell Taubman Ph.D.
Director

Dr. Mitchell Taubman worked with Dr. Lovaas as an undergraduate at UCLA in the early 1970s. He treated children with autism, ADHD and other disorders. He then attended the University of Kansas, studying with such founders of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as Dr. Donald Baer, Dr. Todd Risely, Dr. James Sherman, and his doctoral advisor, Dr. Montrose Wolf.
After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Taubman returned to UCLA and served as adjunct assistant professor of psychology and as co-principal investigator with Dr. Lovaas on a federal grant directed at autism treatment. One of his special interests in Teaching Interactions which he brought from the Kansas model to autism treatment.
After his post-doctoral work, Dr. Taubman obtained his license as a clinical psychologist and served as clinical director of Straight Talk, a program providing residential and day treatment services to adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. He currently serves as Director of Autism Partnership, where he provides treatment oversight, training and consultation around the world. Dr. Taubman is the co-author of “It’s Time for School! Building Quality ABA Educational Programs For Students With Autism spectrum disorder”, “Sense And Nonsense In The Behavioral Treatment of Autism: It Has To Be Said” and “Crafting Connections: Contemporary Applied Behavior Analysis for Enriching the Social Lives of Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder.”

Toby Mountjoy MSc, BCBA
Associate Director

Mr. Toby Mountjoy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. With over 20 years of experience working with individuals with ASD, he has been extensively trained by Dr. Ronald Leaf, Dr. Mitchell Taubman and Dr. John McEachin. Besides overseeing the Autism Partnership operation in Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines and Singapore with over 100 staff, including psychologists, consultants and therapists, he has also provided consultations to school districts, agencies, and families worldwide. Mr. Mountjoy has also contributed chapters to publications such as “Sense & Nonsense” and “It’s Time for School”. In 2007, he founded the charitable Autism Partnership Foundation and Aoi Pui School to offer more services for children with Autism.